Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder that affects up to 0.75% of people worldwide. Diagnosing and treating this condition can be difficult due to its wide range of symptoms and similarity to other mental health conditions.
The Accelerated Medicines Partnership program—Schizophrenia (AMP SCZ) a public-private research collaboration programme focused on studying the early stages of the disorder, known as the clinical high-risk (CHR) state, during which individuals are at increased risk of developing a psychotic disorder.
Researchers in the AMP SCZ program are working to identify objective biomarkers that could help diagnose schizophrenia before clear symptoms of psychosis emerge. These biomarkers could provide more reliable and accurate information than current methods and lead to better monitoring of patient progress.
The program is also focused on developing novel, effective medicines for people at risk of developing schizophrenia. Existing treatments for the disorder can have unwanted side effects and may not work for everyone, so there is a need for new options.
By improving diagnostic tools and developing new treatments, the AMP SCZ program aims to enhance the lives of those affected by schizophrenia. Clinicians can support this effort by raising awareness of the initiative and encouraging patients to participate in related studies.
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